Add a little music to Valentine's Day plans

Feb. 1, 2014

Written by

Lynda Black-Smith

Community music

It is February, and this year more than ever we need to warm up the season.

Fortunately, Metro Mix Chorus can help with that. There are two options.

• Option 1. Visit a rehearsal on Monday evenings (if it isn’t 16 below zero), and we’ll sing for you with songs that will get you swaying, smiling and maybe singing along and of course. You’ll feel all warm inside. Sweet Adeline singers love to swing and ring those barbershop chords, and we love to share our music. We rehearse beginning at 7 p.m. at the Clarion Highlander Hotel and Conference Center in Iowa City.

• Option 2. You don’t even need to leave home for this one. We’ll come to you or to a loved one on Valentine’s Day. This year our talented quartets will be delivering the sound of love in Singing Valentines on Feb. 14. Last year men and women, young and old, lovers and friends were on the giving and receiving end of this unique gift. Quartets also will sing for groups, such as family members and their friends at a retirement facility or at a restaurant.

If you would like to touch someone’s heart on Valentine’s Day this year, all you have to do is call one of the phone numbers below and place an order. Then on Valentine’s Day, a quartet of fabulous barbershop a cappella singers will arrive at the location of your choice to surprise your sweetheart. For a donation of $40, the quartet will perform two love songs and deliver a Valentine card, a rose, candy and memories to last a lifetime. Imagine the surprise, the smiles and sometimes a few joyful tears.

To reach loved ones across the miles, you may request a Singing Valentine via telephone for a donation of $10. The donations received from singing valentines help Metro Mix Chorus, a nonprofit organization, pay for education programs for young singers, as well as chorus music, coaching and some annual competition expenses.

Quartets are available throughout the day Feb. 14. Reservations can be made by calling Jan at 319-366-0751 for Cedar Rapids, Marion and surrounding towns. Call Jo at 351-1461 for the Iowa City/Coralville area and also for Valentines by phone. Messages left on answering machines will be discreetly returned if a phone number is left along with a good time to call back. Singing Valentine orders will be taken up to the last minute. Call soon to reserve specific times.

So, let our ringing chords warm you up this February! For more information about Singing Valentines or to plan a visit, call one of the above numbers or click onto Metro Mix Chorus’ website at www.metromixchorus.org. You also may email us your questions at metromixchorus@gmail.com. Find us on facebook as MetroMix Chorus.

Lynda Black-Smith is a retired art teacher and now, along with making art, loves singing lead and baritone with Metro Mix Chorus. She is serving presently on the Management Team as Marketing Chair.